Rochester Hills firefighters extinguished a house fire that was called in around noon near the area of John R and Avon roads. Major damage was caused at a home on the 500 block of John R, said Fire Chief Ron Crowell. The homeowner, who was inside when the flames broke out, noticed the smoke and was able to escape before being injured. Firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze within 20 minutes, said Crowell. Smoke and fire were showing as crews readied their equipment. "It started in the garage area," he said. "We're still investigating what caused (the fire)."

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-- Staff writer John Turk

PONTIAC

Police: Motorist fails to yield, collides with patrol car

An Oakland County Sheriff's deputy was taken to a Pontiac hospital Tuesday after his patrol car struck a motorist who failed to yield, said deputies. Sheriff's authorities said a 21-year-old Pontiac man was pulling out of a Sunoco gas station onto North Perry Road and drove his 1991 Mercury into the path of the deputy, who was driving northbound, approaching Scottwood in Pontiac. No one in the 21-year-old's car was injured, but the deputy suffered an injury to his right foot in the collision. He was taken to McLaren Oakland Hospital for medical attention. The patrol car was severely damaged as a result of the crash. The driver of the Mercury was cited for failing to yield the right of way and the car -- with moderate damage to its left front fender -- was towed from the scene of the accident.

-- Staff writer John Turk

WATERFORD TWP.

Man accused of stealing items from parked car

A Waterford Township man was arrested and is scheduled to be arraigned in connection to a Monday theft from a car near Dixie Highway. The 31-year-old man was seen stealing a GPS unit from a car in the parking lot of Happy's Pizza, at the corner of Dixie Highway and Andersonville Road, said police. When police arrived at the restaurant, witnesses told them the man walked westbound on Andersonville after the alleged theft. Authorities caught up to him at Airport Road and Van Syckle Avenue.

According to a Waterford Police Department release, "when the suspect saw officers, he attempted to throw the GPS in a nearby ditch before he was taken into custody."

A bottle of prescription drugs was also found on the man -- it had the name of the vehicle owner on the label, said police. The man was taken to the Oakland County Jail. His arraignment is expected sometime today in Waterford Township's 51st District Court.

-- Staff writer John Turk

ORION TWP.

Investigation continues for attempted liquor store break-in

An investigation is ongoing and no suspects have been named in a Tuesday attempted break-in at an Orion Township liquor store. Oakland County Sheriff's deputies responded to the Orion Keg and Wine store in the 2200 block of Baldwin Road after a security alarm was tripped at the business, deputies said. The officers found evidence that someone had tried to break into the store, and they saw footprints leading away from the building. An Oakland County Sheriff's Office tracking dog team arrived to assist in finding possible suspects, but the dog lost the scent after an hour.

-- Staff writer John Turk

TROY

Minor damages in St. Patrick's Day apartment fire

No injuries were reported in a St. Patrick's Day fire at an apartment complex at 2200 Crooks Road. The fire ignited shortly after 8 p.m. March 17 at the Maplewood Manor Apartments, about a half-mile north of West Maple Road. Occupants of the complex were evacuated. The fire rendered the apartment where it started uninhabitable, and an apartment above that dwelling suffered minor smoke damage.

-- Staff writer Dave Phillips

BRANDON TWP.

3 dogs killed in fire; investigation continues

Three dogs died in a fire at a home in the 3000 block of Cherry Street. The homeowner left the home in the Clarkston Lakes Mobile Home Park to pick up her children shortly before 2 p.m. Monday, and the fire began soon afterward. An investigation is ongoing.